Congress requires answers to data privacy before selling 23andme

American actors. Alexandria On Thursday, OCASIO-Cortez and Jan Schakowsky sent messages to two potential buyers of the troubled genetic test company 23andme Claiming details about the privacy of consumer data if either of them gets the company.

It was signed by 20 other members of the Democratic Congress, and messages were sent to Rigeneron Pharmaceuticals and TTAM Research Institute, which made separate bids to buy 23andme. In messages, they ask Regeneron and TTAM if they will continue to give customers the option to delete their data and withdraw their data approval in medical research. They also want to know if the current 23ndme policy of not sharing genetic data with law enforcement without a judicial order will be supported, and whether both entities intend to notify 23andMe customers in a proactive about the sale.

After you struggle for years to make a profit, I have provided 23andme for bankruptcy protection in March and put their assets for sale. Soon after, its CEO Ann Wajiki to resign. WoJCICKI tried, in vain, to take the private company, but its proposals were rejected by a special committee formed by the 23andme board of directors.

In May, the Biotechnology company Regeneron announced that it had won the title of a successful exhibitor at the bankruptcy auction, as it provided $ 256 million to 23andme. “We believe that we can help 23ndme to fulfill its mission and depend on helping those interested in learning about their DNA and how to improve their personal health, while strengthening Regeron’s efforts to use genetic research on a large scale to improve the way in which society treats and prevents disease in general,” said George Yankopoulos, the founder and scientific official in Readeron. Company statement last month.

But after the auction was closed, Wojcicki made its own offer – $ 305 million was made through the TTAM Institute for Non -Profit Research. The offer prompted a federal judge to reopen the sale, and now you will have a chance to make a final offer.

Founded 23ndme in 2006, and is a pioneer in the field of personal genome through their DNA testing groups, which allows customers to identify their ancestors, family contacts, and some medical risks after providing a spitting sample. Although more than 12 million of its DNA testing groups were sold, the company has never achieved profitability and struggled to diversify its revenue flows after moving to public in 2021. In another company blow to the company, a major violation of data in 2023 showed the personal data of millions of customers, Including leakage Users targeted the Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

The new owner of 23andme will get a wide range of genetic data, raising questions about how to use these data. Under the current 23ndme policy, customers can choose their genetic data and other personal information available for medical research. They also have The option to delete all their data And direct 23ndme to destroy their saliva sample. On Thursday, members of Congress who sent messages are looking for clarity from Regeneron and WoJCICKI about whether they are planning to continue these practices.

Signers also feel anxious about sharing genetic data with law enforcement and immigration authorities, the ability to use genetic data and other personal data to train artificial intelligence models. They also ask Regeneron and TTAM to reveal a full list of all third parties that can currently access 23DME data and steps that both entities will take to ensure the transparency of the third -party access to the future. 23ANDME had previously had a cooperation in the field of multi -year research with the giant GRAXMIHKLINE.

Actors Regeneron and TTAM requests a response by June 26.

WoJCICKKI and 23andme CEO Joe Selsavage witnessed a House Supervision Committee Listen this week about the concerns of privacy and national security surrounding the sale of 23andme. During that session, Selsavage told legislators that 1.9 million people, or about 15 percent of its customer base, have requested the removal of their genetic data from the company’s servers since the company applied for bankruptcy protection in March.

This week, more than twenty states and provinces of Colombia filed a lawsuit against 23andme, on the pretext that the company cannot auction 15 million genetic information very sensitive without their approval or knowledge.